Weight Watchers while using MFP

I do this. I use MFP to track what I eat and watch my macros. I use WW for the community support and the weigh-ins. I don't tell anyone at WW I do this, as I think it would sound rude and divert most people from what they want to talk about (points). But it works for me.

Yes I've been using both MPF (I've had for years) and joined WW last year to lose weight but have struggled keeping within the new points system now that it's changed, I don't like it. I will continue though because going to meetings and being kept accountable is an excellent motivator for me.

I used to do WW and did both points and MFP calorie tracking for a while. I was doing WW in fall 2014 when all fruits & veggies were 0 points (is that still true?). I did a lot of work to figure out the calories to WW point conversion, and I basically found that my daily WW points equalled about 1000 calories, so WW relied on me eating plenty of fruits and veggies to make up for that difference.

I started counting calories alongside WW when I plateau'd- I think largely because I was eating tons of fruits and vegetables, so I was probably eating like 1800-2000 calories a day. After losing 15 lbs, I was not losing any more on the WW points system alone. So then I started counting calories, and limited myself to 1400 calories, and started losing again. I had a lot of success with calorie counting, and stuck around at WW for a while, but eventually I was disillusioned from WW. I was mostly going for the community and accountability, but my WW community was much older than me, and at a certain point I couldn't relate to any of them (there was a key discussion in which the leader told us that a pound of fat weighs less than a pound of muscle. I tried explaining that a pound is a unit of weight, so by definition they're the same, but no one agreed, and that was it for me). I do miss having a weight loss/maintenance community, and I'm still looking for an alternative.

I completely understand being frustrated with the new SmartPoints program. My problem with that is that you have "calibrated" your expectations of what you can eat based on the PointsPlus, and that was a lot of work! I remember how much work that is! Now you pretty much have to redo all of that work. I understand that WW is trying to steer you towards certain nutrition, and I think that is worthwhile, but it is frustrating as a WW member. Note: I did WW in high school as well, and when I left WW (after I hit my goal weight) I did not have the "tools" I needed to be successful on my own because everything I knew about food was in terms of points. Eventually I forgot what each food was in points, so I stopped tracking foods. If I had learned to portion my foods based on calories, I might have had more success because calorie amounts are available everywhere.

So, my recommendation would be to track SmartPoints and calories for a few weeks and see what you think. Maybe go one week on SmartPoints, then the next on calories, and see which you prefer. If the community and accountability from WW benefits you, then it is probably good to continue going. Good luck!

jeepinshawn wrote: »

I understand the need for accountability, but for me just watching my numbers on MFP were enough to keep me accountable, but I don't understand why people go for the meals and what not. Your not going to buy WW meals forever so you aren't really training yourself how to eat in a post WW life. IMO weightloss is all about calories in calories out, it is incredibly simple, no need to complicate it with points or special foods. I lost 100lbs using MFP and I never had to give up cake, ice cream or nachos.

The point system is a basically a simplified version of calorie counting.

I'm tracking here but thinking of just attending meetings. I'm losing more weight per month on MFP , sticking to my plan better, and enjoying greater flexibility than on this new WW plan. I don't have time or desire to keep relearning new plans. You have to choose what's doable for you.

I am a paying on-line member of WW and use MFP for the calorie count. I didn’t think I’d like the new Smart Points plan because I have a problem with some of the ‘new’ philosophy and the person it is coming from but decided WW worked before and has been working since the 1960’s and it hasn’t failed yet if the plan is worked properly. I do like the MFP site because I can get a real idea of what I’m taking in by looking at the caloric content of the foods. I new Smart Points system is more intense because the system changed but everything changes.

I don’t hide the fact that I use MFP and have several friends who use both – some are even WW employees.

Don’t look at the daily points as having been blown because you have a piece of cake & ice cream – gosh that is what the weekly points are for.

Please, give it a try – really give it a decent try and don’t write it off so quickly. Take advantage of the meetings and your wonderful leader & WI and counter that with MFP. Run both programs side by side – journal your foods and exercise/activity on both and I believe you will be pleasantly surprised.

Lifetime WW member here, 16 pounds under my set goal weight. Tried the new SP program only to find that it was putting me 450 calories below what I actually should be eating for my maintenance and activity level. That was with the 36 points per day that I was given and using at least 3-4 of the 28 weekly points that I was given. I'm using MFP again because I need to keep my calorie level up. I think the new WW program is ok, though, and people will definetly have success with it. I was earning at least 10 + FitPoints per day with my Fitbit. So if I do decide to track points again instead of calories I'll use them as well to make sure I'm getting close to the 2,000 calories that I need per day to maintain.

I just logged my smart points of 30 today and also logged it in My fitness pal - came out to approx 1600 calories. On the old program, I was getting 26 points and with the food I ate - I would only log 1150 calories. Not sure if I am eating 'too much' but gonna give the new program a try. Granted 1600 includes 4 servings of veggies and one serving of fruit today.

I'm actually really thinking about doing this. I've been converting the MFP info to WW points until the "new points" conversion thing came out. Today, I went to weigh in and they said that what they want you to really count now is: Calories, Saturated Fat, Sugar, and Protein. The leader said that fiber was still good and all, but they were more interested in making the program more protein friendly, and less friendly towards sugar and fat. An nutritionist I went to said that if you focus on proteins, then the fats/carb's will take care of themselves, but I'm not sure I like the new way WW is doing things. I'm really looking at just going for weigh in's and support and just tracking on MFP from now on.

Hey all,

Great conversation here. I've been on ww for several years and am trying out the new smartfit points. It's clear that they've definitely increased for certain items. I also find that I am gaining way more activity points. With my fitbit curve hr synced after a day of teaching and walking I'm a usual 15 activity points. This seems unusually high. Previously a latte with half cup of 2% was maybe 3; now its 5 points ?!

I am currently logging with fitbit and ww app over the course of next month. If I do not see any results I will switch to mfp.

I used to do the simply filling WW thing and it worked for me. The only things I don't like about WW is the money it costs and the hideous meetings. Lining up like cattle to be weighed is just not my thing so I did it online and was happy with that.

When I did it you could swap from the Pro points to simply filling daily or weekly. Is it still the same with the new smart points?

Back in the day [1970s lol] if you wanted to lose weight you went to the doctor and he/she [more he] gave you a 'diet sheet'. This stated that you should eat lean meat, fish and shellfish, fruit and low carb veg, cut out cakes, pastry, biscuits, sweets and chocolate and cut right back on bread, potatoes, rice, pasta and dairy. Sounds like WW smart points to me - NOTHING is new lol.